I Have Seen So Many Extraordinary Things, That There Is Nothing Extraordinary To Me Now

“I have seen so many extraordinary things, that there is nothing extraordinary to me now.”

Literature is full of misattributed wisdom. Often, readers assign a profound quote to the wrong genius. This specific observation about world-weariness creates significant confusion today. Indeed, you might see it credited to Lewis Carroll on social media. However, the true origin story leads us elsewhere. It takes us back to the French Enlightenment, not Victorian England.

We must look to the satirist Voltaire. Specifically, this line appears in his 1759 masterpiece, Candide. A character named Martin delivers the sentiment. He represents the pessimistic counterweight to the book’s optimistic protagonist. Therefore, understanding the quote requires understanding Martin. He has traveled the world. Consequently, he has lost his capacity for wonder.

The True Origin in Voltaire’s Candide

Voltaire published Candide during a time of great intellectual ferment. The story follows a young man who believes he lives in the “best of all possible worlds.” However, reality constantly challenges this belief. Martin enters the story as a companion who holds the opposite view. He expects the worst from everything. Furthermore, he rarely finds himself disappointed.

The specific scene involving this quote is quite bizarre. Candide and Martin encounter two women in the country of the Oreillons. Surprisingly, these women show deep affection toward two monkeys. Candide expresses shock at this unnatural pairing. In contrast, Martin merely shrugs. He explains that he has witnessed enough strange events to accept anything.

In the original French, Source Martin says, “j’ai tant vu de choses extraordinaires, qu’il n’y a plus rien d’extraordinaire.” . This sentence perfectly encapsulates his character. He is not just bored. Rather, he is desensitized. His extensive experience has dulled his reaction to the absurd. Thus, the quote serves as a badge of his cynicism.

The Journey Through Translation

Voltaire wrote in French, so English readers rely on translators. These translators shape how we perceive the line today. Tobias Smollett provided one of the earliest English versions in 1762. He kept the phrasing quite close to the original meaning. Martin tells the protagonist that his capacity for surprise has vanished. This early translation helped cement the quote in English literature.

Later translators offered their own spins. For instance, Robert Bruce Boswell released a version in 1907. He tweaked the grammar slightly but kept the spirit intact. Then, in 1918, the Modern Library edition presented another variation. Each translator aims to capture Martin’s tone. They want the reader to feel his exhaustion.

Language evolves over centuries. Therefore, translations must adapt. A translator in 1960 chooses different words than one in 1760. Nevertheless, the core message remains stable. Martin always represents the man who has seen too much. Consequently, the world no longer holds mysteries for him. This consistency across versions proves the power of Voltaire’s original thought.

The Confusion with Lewis Carroll

Modern internet culture often fails at fact-checking. As a result, Lewis Carroll frequently receives credit for this quote. Carroll wrote Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. His works certainly deal with extraordinary things. Alice sees talking rabbits and vanishing cats. Therefore, it seems plausible that he might write such a line.

However, this attribution is incorrect. No scholar has found this phrase in Carroll’s books. He wrote about the wonder of childhood. In contrast, this quote describes the cynicism of adulthood. The tone does not match Carroll’s whimsical style. Martin’s voice is dry and detached. Alice’s voice is curious and engaged. They are fundamentally different characters.

The error likely started on a quotation aggregation site. Websites like Goodreads allow users to upload quotes manually. Sometimes, users make mistakes. Subsequently, others copy and paste the error. It spreads like a virus across social platforms. Eventually, the falsehood becomes accepted truth. Yet, the text of Candide remains the undeniable proof of ownership.

The George Sand Connection

Interestingly, another French author did use a very similar line. George Sand was a prolific novelist in the 19th century. She wrote a book titled Pierre Qui Roule in 1870. In this text, a character makes a nearly identical observation. He claims he has seen so many extraordinary things that he no longer marvels at anything.

Did she copy Voltaire? It is certainly possible. Voltaire cast a long shadow over French literature. Writers in the 1800s knew his work well. Alternatively, she might have arrived at the phrase independently. The sentiment is universal. Many people feel jaded as they age. Therefore, two great writers could easily describe that feeling with similar words.

Translations of Sand’s work also reached English audiences. A translator named Carroll Owen worked on her text in 1871. This creates a fascinating coincidence. We have a translator named Carroll and an author named Lewis Carroll. This name similarity might contribute to the modern confusion. However, the timeline clearly favors Voltaire as the originator.

Why The Quote Resonates Today

We live in an age of information overload. Consequently, this 18th-century quote feels incredibly modern. We see “extraordinary” things on our screens every day. Viral videos show us miracles and disasters instantly. As a result, we often feel like Martin. We scroll past amazing events without blinking.

The quote speaks to a loss of sensitivity. When everything is special, nothing is special. Voltaire understood human psychology deeply. He knew that novelty wears off. Eventually, the brain adapts to even the most bizarre circumstances. Martin represents the endpoint of this adaptation.

Furthermore, the line acts as a warning. It suggests that too much experience can be a burden. Candide retains his innocence for a long time. Martin lost his long ago. We must decide which perspective we prefer. Do we want to be the wise cynic? Or do we prefer to remain capable of surprise? The quote forces us to confront that choice.

Conclusion

Accurate attribution matters in literature. It connects us to the true context of an idea. This quote belongs to Voltaire and his character, Martin. It reflects the satirical, philosophical world of Candide. While Lewis Carroll wrote brilliantly about wonder, he did not write this line about the death of wonder.

George Sand echoed the sentiment later, proving its timelessness. However, Voltaire captured it first. The next time you see this quote, remember the cynical traveler Martin. Remember his encounter with the monkeys. He teaches us that maintaining a sense of awe requires effort. Otherwise, we risk finding nothing extraordinary at all.

Quote Me, maybe?

the quote G.O.A.T.